Page 76 of The Heir
“Were you acquainted with him?”
“We were colleagues,” said Dr. Clarke. “We consulted on each other’s cases. Members of the medical household frequently do.”
The “medical household” was an association, not a place. A select group of surgeons, physicians, and apothecaries would travel with the royal family to be on hand should the need arise. When on duty, they lived in proximity to the palace but not inside it. Naturally, they talked among themselves about their patients. Who else would they talk to?
“What was your opinion of Dr. Maton?”
“As a doctor, he was a sound practitioner in the conservative and traditional vein.”
A highly diplomatic answer, sir.It sounded like praise and yet did not commit him to a detailed opinion.
It also did not offer a clear conversational opening through which one might gain a wider assessment of Dr. Maton’s character or habits.
“Did you agree with his . . . method of proceeding?”
This was entirely the wrong question, and Lehzen knew it as soon as the words left her. Dr. Clarke’s entire demeanor snapped shut.
“Are you asking me to pronounce judgment on my late colleague’s practice and methods?”
Scheiße.“Dr. Clarke. The princess is much affected by the loss of Dr. Maton. She knows he attended her father, and that gives her a . . . a sentimental attachment. She is disquieted by having discovered him when he died alone and out of doors.”
“What?”
Lehzen feigned her surprise. “You did not know? When the princess fell from her horse, the horse had shied because they came across a dead man on the green. It was Dr. Maton.”
“No, I most certainly did not know!” cried Dr. Clarke. “Why was I not told of this?”
“It was not my decision, Doctor.”
Dr. Clarke jumped to his feet. He commenced pacing—to the window and to his bag and back again, his hands folded behind him. His speech was as quick and unnerved as his manner.
“I certainly would have recommended rest and quiet after such a shock. No wonder Her Highness was agitated!” He faced Lehzen again. “She must be kept as quiet as possible. She must not be presented with any circumstances that could call the events back to her mind, or she will surely suffer the strongest relapse. She may even fall into hysteria!”
Lehzen bowed her head humbly before this assessment. “As you know, sir, it is difficult to persuade a naturally energetic young woman to rest quietly. If I could tell her I had answers to her questions, she would surely agree to sit and listen—”
“No.” He held up his hand to stop her. “I will speak to the duchess directly.”
“I beg you, sir, do not do so.”
Dr. Clarke drew himself up. He was now very much on his dignity, and Lehzen felt something close to panic nibbling at the back of her mind. “What exactly is the matter here, ma’am?”
Scheiße, she thought again. “Questions have been raised about Dr. Maton. About his conduct in the medical household.”
“Thisis why I am here? To spread gossip about my late colleague?” Dr. Clarke demanded. “You have much mistaken me, ma’am, if you believe I would do any such thing.”
“Please, Doctor . . .”
But he had already picked up his bag. “You may call me when you have a legitimate medical concern. Otherwise, I will bid you good day.” He did not bother to bow but simply strode out of the room, leaving Lehzen behind to curse fruitlessly in German.
Now what do I do?
Then, slowly, it occurred to Lehzen that she had been granted a wonderful opportunity.
She could lie.
She could tell the princess that Dr. Clarke had assured her there was nothing untoward regarding Dr. Maton’s career and conduct or, indeed, his death. His debts were of an ordinary kind, and his son Gerald had been over-worried, as a loving child could sometimes be.
She could say that Dr. Clarke and his other colleagues had warned Dr. Maton to take his indisposition more seriously and that he had brushed their warnings off. That he had been in the habit of taking long walks across the green. Ironically, she could say he had done so for the sake of his health.
